Timepiece

ABSTRACT

A watch unit having a time-displaying section, including a reflection-type polarizing film  14  disposed on an upper portion or a lower portion of the time-displaying section or a portion comprising a part of the time-displaying section, an optical modulation section which varies the ratio of a transmission axis to a reflection axis of the reflection-type polarizing film  14 , and a shutter function to shield a portion of or all of the watch unit having the time-display section by varying the reflection intensity and the transmission intensity in relation to the light incident direction using the reflection-type polarinzing film  14  and the optical modulation section, to enhance the appearance and to improve the versatility of the watch unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a timepiece (watch and clock) whichdisplays time information such as hours, minutes, and seconds, calendarinformation such as date, day-of-the week, month, and year in digitalform, using a liquid crystal panel, and time information using an hourhand, a minute hand, a second hand, and the like in an analog fashion.

BACKGROUND ART

A timepiece which displays time information such as hours, minutes, andseconds, and calendar information such as date, day-of-the week, month,and year using a liquid crystal display panel has been widely used in awrist watch or a table clock which is equipped with a crystal oscillatorcircuit.

When time information or calendar information is to be displayed indigital form using the liquid crystal display, a predetermined displayis performed by disposing an upper polarizing film and lower polarizingfilm on the top and bottom of the liquid crystal cell and utilizing aquality of a liquid crystal wherein an optical characteristic of theliquid crystal is changed when an electric field is applied.

Further, in the field concerning table clocks and wall clocks, amechanism clock equipped with a decorative doll and the like whichexhibits various movements at a predetermined time, and a clock which iscombined with a liquid crystal display device, and exhibits variousmovements made by animals and the like at a predetermined time or at auser-adjusted time, have been developed. Therein, appearance andversatility are a matter of importance.

A motion such as an opening and closing of a screen is mechanicallyconducted at present to reveal the motions of a doll or the like to theviewer at a predetermined time. Therefore the movement is limited andthe wear and tear occur with years of use.

Furthermore, in order to display a character, the liquid crystal displaypanel described above is sometimes used.

In a watch or clock using such a liquid crystal panel, time informationand calendar information are displayed in digital form in a blackdisplay on a white background in an ordinary, normally-white mode.

However, digital display of time information or calendar information inonly a black display on a white background is monotonous in design,lacks an interesting point, and loses its popularity among customers,which results in a decrease of demand of a digital display watch orclock. Accordingly, a digital display watch or clock with a variety ofdesigns has been sought.

A method of shielding a portion of or all of a time-display section on awatch or clock in accordance with circumstances at the time of use orinternal condition of the watch or clock has been studied, but theprogress can not be said sufficient in terms of making the timepiecethinner and regarding the controllability. Switching between the displayand no display of information, carried out by control of opening andclosing of a time-display section of a watch or clock through the comandinput by a timepiece user or a signal from the outside from a timer orcomand communication method, or by using a portion of the time-displaysection itself as a shutter, is sought. However, the design problems ofsuch a timepiece have not been erased.

Furthermore, in the case of a table clock or a wall clock equipped witha marionette and the like, opening and closing of a screen or a door toshow the motion of the doll and the like to viewers are carried outmechanically at present, which limits the movement and also causes adisadvantage of deterioration occuring with years of use.

A first object of the present invention is to solve the disadvantagesdescribed above and provide a digital-type timepiece, analog-typetimepiece or combination digital- and analog-type timepiece having avariety of designs. A second object of the present invention is toimprove the design and provide a timepiece offering much variety in themanner in which the time-display section can be closed or opened inaccordance with a control signal based on the circumstances where thetimepiece is in use or based on a user-input comand, or in accordancewith the internal conditions of the timepiece.

A third object is to provide a timepiece, including a table clock or awall clock equipped with a marionette and the like, with an innovativedesign wherein, the display portion, such as a stage presenting dollsand the like, can be opened or closed whenever required withoutemploying a mechanical means.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a time piece according tothe present invention is a watch or clock having a time-display sectionand is provided with a reflection-type polarizing film, which reflectsthe light linearly polarized in the direction orthogonal to thetransmission axis thereof, on at least a portion in front of or at theback of the time-display section.

The reflection-type polarizing film may be arranged so as to form aportion of the time-display section and occupy at least a portion of thedisplay surface.

In these timepieces, it is preferable to provide an optical modulationsection to vary a ratio of the amount of light incident in the directionto the transmission axis of the reflection-type polarizing film, to theamount of light incident in the direction orthogonal to the transmissionaxis thereof.

The optical modulation section is a means to make the reflectionintensity and the transmission intensity variable for incident lightpassing through the reflection-type polarizing film, by making vary aratio of the light incident in the direction to the transmission axis ofthe reflection-type polarizing film to the light incident in thedirection to the reflection axis thereof, intersecting with thetransmission axis at right angles.

It is possible to form a shutter which selectively performs transmittingand shielding of the light incident on at least a portion of thetime-display section through the reflection-type polarizing film and theoptical modulation section.

The optical modulation section may have a liquid crystal layer, anelectrode to apply voltage on the liquid crystal layer, the secondreflection-type polarizing film, and any one of an absorption-typepolarizing film or a color polarizing film.

Alternatively, the optical modulation section may be rotatably providedwith any one from an absorption type polarizing film, the secondreflection-type polarizing film, a color polarizing film, or a grid-typepolarizing film in a manner that the angle between respectivetransmission axes can be changed in relation to the reflection-typepolarizing film.

The reflection-type polarizing film may be provided with an openingportion and/or a shielding portion.

It is suitable to provide a supplemental light source to irradiate lightfrom a viewer side or from the reverse side toward the reflection-typepolarizing film.

Furthermore, a film which forms visible information may be provided onthe opposite side from the viewer to the reflection-type polarizing filmand the optical modulation section which compose the shutter.

The present invention can be applied to a timepiece having apower-generating element.

In this case, the above described optical modulation section may have afunction to make at least one portion of the power-generating element bea sensor to detect its power generation amount and to make a ratio oflight incident on a transmission axis of the reflection-type polarizingfilm to light incident on a reflection axis intersecting thetransmission axis at right angles be variable based on an output signalof the sensor.

The power-generating element may be any of a thermal power-generatingelement to generate electricity by means of temperature difference, apower-generating element which converts kinetic energy into electricenergy, or power-generating element which converts optical energy intoelectric energy (a solar cell).

It is also possible to be provided with any sensor or a plurality ofsensors from among a sensor detecting a signal operated by a user, asensor detecting the applied circumstances, a sensor detecting a timedisplaying condition of the time-display section, or a sensor detectinga radio wave signal having a specific frequency, and to have a functionto make a ratio of light incident on a transmission axis of thereflection-type polarizing film to a light incident on a reflection axisintersecting the transmission axis at right angles be variable inaccordance with a detected signal of the sensor.

The optical modulation section described above can be comprised of afirst polarizing film, a liquid crystal cell which fills a liquidcrystal layer between two transparent substrates each having anelectrode on the facing inner surface, and a second polarizing film, inorder from the visible viewer side, in which at least any one of thefirst polarizing film and the second polarizing film is areflection-type polarizing film.

The present invention can be applied to any one of a watch or clock inwhich the time-display section described above is an analog-typetime-display section displaying hours, minutes, seconds and so on withhands, a watch or clock in which the time-display section is adigital-type time-display section displaying the time information withnumerals, or a watch or clock using a combination of those describedabove.

In a watch or clock equipped with an analog-type time-display section ora digital-type time-display section, it is possible that any one or bothof the time-display sections described above are provided at the back ofa shutter consisting of the reflection-type polarizing film and theoptical modulation section, and areas of a visible portion and aninvisible portion of the time displaying section are controlled by meansof changing the optical characteristic of the liquid crystal layer byapplying voltage between electrodes of the liquid crystal cell whichforms the optical modulation section described above, and that thesection of the shutter corresponding to the invisible portion of saidtime displaying section has a reflecting characteristic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a watch showing a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line A—A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a shutter function of a watch that isalso the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a watch showing a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line B—B in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plane view of a watch unit showing a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line C—C in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plane view of a watch showing a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line D—D in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plane view of a watch showing a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line E—E in FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electriccircuit used for the watch illustrating the fifth embodiment accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a table clock showing a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a wall clock showing a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line F—F in FIG.14; and

FIG. 16 is a front view of a wall clock showing an eighth embodiment ofthe present invention;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments best-suited to carrying out the invention will be explainedhereinafter with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment: FIG. 1 to FIG. 3

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a watch showing the first embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken alongthe line A—A in FIG. 1.

A case 1 is provided with glass 2 and a case back 3, and a time-displaysection includes a printed circuit board 4 having an electric circuit,and a stepping motor and the like to drive a hand shaft 8, a secondarybattery 5, an hour hand 6 and a minute hand 7 which are connected to thehand shaft 8. Incidentally, the hour hand shaft and the minute handshaft are concentrically inserted into the hands shaft 8.

A reflection-type polarizing film serving as a first polarizing film 9is arranged between the hour hand 6 and the printed circuit board 4. Onthe case back 3 side (back side) of the reflection-type polarizing film9, provided is the dial 10 on which numerals from “1 to 12” expressingthe time are printed near the periphery of a front surface of atranslucent ceramic substrate.

On the back side of the dial 10, an electro-luminescent light (EL) isprovided as a supplementary light source 12. The supplementary lightsource 12 is connected to the printed circuit board 4 through a terminal13 for the supplementary light source and is turned on automatically,when necessary, by detecting the circumstances external to the watchwith a sensor that will be described later.

On the upper surface side of the peripheral portion of the glass 2 usedin the case 1, an absorption-type polarizing film with a hightransmittance is disposed as a second polarizing film 14. The secondpolarizing film 14 is sandwiched with two plates of thin reinforcedglass, and fixed to a polarizing film-holding ring 15. The polarizingfilm-holding ring 15 is rotatably fitted mechanically to a side wall ofthe case 1 so that it can be rotatably operated at will by a user of thewatch. On the polarizing film-holding ring 15, many protuberanceportions 21 are formed along the periphery to facilitate the rotationaloperation.

Here, the reflection-type polarizing film used as a first polarizingfilm 9 is a polarizing film which has a function of transmitting thelight linearly polarized in the direction parallel to the transmissionaxis but which reflects the light linearly polarized in the directionintersecting with the transmission axis at right angles.

The absorption-type polarizing film used as the second polarizing film14 is a polarizing film which has a function of transmitting the lightlinearly polarized in the direction parallel to the transmission axisbut which absorbs the light linearly polarized in the directionintersecting with the transmission axis at right angles.

Therefore, by turning the second polarizing film 14 so as to make anangle variable between the reflection-type polarizing film and thetransmission axis of the absorption-type polarizing film, the ratio ofthe light incident on the transmission axis to the light incident on thereflection axis, intersecting with the transmission axis at rightangles, is made variable in relation to the light incident on thereflection-type polarizing film that is the first polarizing film 9, sothat the amount ratio of transmitted light to reflected light by thefirst polarizing film 9, that is, reflection intensity and transmissionintensity, can be made variable.

For the reflection-type polarizing film used in the embodiment, forinstance, optical film DBEF (trade name) sold by SUMITOMO 3M Co., Ltd.may be used.

According to the watch in the first embodiment, the turning operation ofthe holding ring 15 for the polarizing film fitted to the case 1 makesthe second polarizing film 14 rotate, which makes an angle between therespective transmission axes of the second polarizing film 14 and thepolarizing film 9 on the dial 10 variable from 0° (full transmission) to90° (full reflection).

Through the above operation, the state of the display area can be variedin a manner that the reflection ratio gradually increases from a statein which all the time-display section on the dial 10 is visible, througha state of half transmission and half reflection, to a state of fullreflection (wherein the dial 10 becomes invisible).

Thus, by turning the second polarizing film 14 on the dial 10, thedesign of a watch can be changed in a manner that, for instance, fullreflection on x day, semi-transmission on x+1 day, and full transmissionon x+2 days and soon.

Here, the shutter function by the first polarizing film 9 and the secondpolarizing film 14 will be explained using FIG. 3.

By turning the second polarizing film 14, an angle between thetransmission axes of the first polarizing film 9 and the secondpolarizing film 14 varies, and the ratio of light along the transmissionaxis to the light along the reflection axis varies, light on both axesbeing light incident on the reflection-type polarizing film, that is thefirst polarizing film 9.

Through this, as shown in FIG. 3, the state of the time-display sectionvaries from a full reflection state (a) in which the transmission axisof the first polarizing film 9 intersects with the transmission axis ofthe second polarizing film 14 at right angles (an intersecting angle of90°); through a state (b) with the intersecting angle of 70° in whichthe amount of reflection somewhat decreases and a blackish toneincreases; a state of half reflection and half transmission (c) with theintersecting angle of 45°; a state (d) with the intersecting angle of30° in which the reflection lowers and the blackish tone lowers; and astate (e) with the intersecting angle of 20° in which the transmittanceis considerably high, to a state (f) with the intersecting angle of 0°in which the transmittance becomes maximum.

In this case, when the light incident on the first polarizing film 9 isfully reflected (a), the dial 10, time-indicating letters 11, hour hand6, and minute hand 7 become very difficult to observe. In other words,the back side of the second polarizing film 14 is almost shielded.Furthermore, the lowering in reflectance and the increasing intransmittance are possible by means of varying angle between thetransmission axes of the first polarizing film 9 and the secondpolarizing film 14. The full reflection (a) and the full transmission(f) corresponds to opening and closing of the shutter actuated by ashutter function performed by the first polarizing film 9 and the secondpolarizing film 14. Further, the middle state is a semi-reflection stateor a semi-transmission state, namely, a middle state of the shutter.

As explained above, by control of the reflection and transmission withthe first polarizing film 9 and the second polarizing film 14, theperformance of the on-off or middle state between the on-off, for thepresentation of the time-display section disposed on the back of thesecond polarizing film 14, is called the shutter function.

While the first embodiment, the user of the watch turns the secondpolarizing film manually, the shutter function is sufficiently effectiveif the polarizing film is turned together with the turning of a minutehand or an hour hand, or turned by a motor through the operation of acontrol switch.

The above explanation is for an embodiment of a wrist watch, but whenthe size of the time-display section or the shape of the case 1 ischanged, the present invention can be applied to a table clock or a wallclock.

Second Embodiment: FIG. 4, FIG. 5

A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

In the embodiment, a shutter function is performed by the interplay ofthe first polarizing film 9, the second polarizing film 14, and a liquidcrystal cell 39.

By applying the liquid crystal cell 39, the shutter function can beelectrically varied. For the time-display section, a liquid crystaldisplay panel which is the same as that for the shutter function isapplied. Consequently, a watch can be made thinner.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a watch showing the second embodiment. FIG. 5is a schematic sectional view taken along the line B—B.

A liquid crystal display panel used in the embodiment displays muchcharacter information to apply to both a time-display section and anoptical modulation section, and a matrix-type liquid crystal displaypanel is adopted to further enrich the shutter function.

As a polarizing film to form a liquid crystal display panel 30 with aliquid crystal cell 39 shown in FIG. 5, a reflection-type polarizingfilm is adopted for the first polarizing film 9 which is disposed on theback side of the liquid crystal cell 39 and an absorption-typepolarizing film is adopted for the second polarizing film 14 which isdisposed on the surface side of the liquid crystal cell 39.

Furthermore, the matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 has ashutter function, and as shown in FIG. 4, the first display area 31displays character information, and a shutter function works on a seconddisplay area 32 and it shows a full reflection state in which importantinformation is shielded.

Thus, the liquid crystal display panel 30 is roughly divided into afirst display area 31 and a second display area 32, and in order tominimize power consumption when the shutter works, no voltage is appliedon the second display area 32 in a state shown in FIG. 4. Since thematrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 is used in the embodiment, adigital-type time-display section which displays time with letters or ananalog-type time-display section which displays time with hands can beexpressed with a liquid crystal display panel.

Therefore, the electrode arrangement in the matrix-type liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 adopts an arrangement extending in a round shape, andone side area out of the area divided into an upper portion and a lowerportion is also applicable as an analog-type time-display section. Whena portion of the display is shut, only one out of the upper portion andthe lower portion of the matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 isdisplayed.

In the case 1 of the wrist watch, glass 1 and a case back 3 are providedas shown in FIG. 5, and the time-display section includes a printedcircuit board 4, a secondary battery 5, a matrix-type liquid crystaldisplay panel 30, and a zebra-rubber connector 38 to connect the liquidcrystal display panel 30 with the printed circuit board 4. The timedisplay is performed by the matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30.

The matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 is formed including, inorder from the glass 2, an absorption-type polarizing film as the secondpolarizing film 14, the liquid crystal cell 39, and a reflection-typepolarizing film as the first polarizing film 9.

In order to prepare the liquid crystal cell 39 a first substrate 33 anda second substrate 35, having a transparent electrode on eachconfronting inner surface, are bonded through a sealing agent 36, andthe liquid crystal 34 is filled in the gap thereof. The sealing agent 36contains a conductive particle. In order to reduce power consumption bykeeping the display quality of the matrix-type liquid crystal displaypanel 30, a switching element is provided for electrodes which form eachpixel of the liquid crystal cell 39.

The switching element has a three-terminal-type switching element and atwo-terminal-type switching element, and by providing the switchingelement, a signal for applying voltage on the liquid crystal 34 can beoutput intermittently.

Further, in order to apply an aligning treatment to the liquid crystal34, an alignment film is coated on the first substrate 33, a firstelectrode formed in the inner surface thereof, the second substrate 35and a second electrode formed in the inner surface thereof to performthe aligning treatment, and the liquid crystal cell 34 forms atwisted-nematic-type liquid crystal cell (TN) which twists to 90° whilethe liquid crystal 34 passes from the first substrate 33 to the secondsubstrate 35.

A reflection-type polarizing film is used for the first polarizing film9, and a transmission-type polarizing film is used for the secondpolarizing film 14, and the transmission axes of the first polarizingfilm 9 and the second polarizing film 14 are arranged in parallel witheach other. That is, when the power supply to the liquid crystal cell 39is suspended, since linearly polarized light which is passed through thesecond polarized film 14 is twisted by 90° through the liquid crystalcell 39 and the direction of polarization of light incident into thefirst polarizing film 9 intersects with its transmission axes at rightangles, the light is totally reflected by the first reflection-typepolarizing film 9 so that the liquid crystal display panel 30 candisplay a metallic reflection surface.

A shielding film 37 is arranged on the second polarizing film 14 toshield a sealing agent 36, a processed edge and so on used for theliquid crystal display panel 30. By adopting a colored polarizing filmfor the shielding film 37 and by printing numerals showing the hour onthe color polarizing film, a full colored time-display can be realized.

Furthermore, in order to connect the liquid crystal panel 30 with theprinted circuit board 4, a zebra-rubber connector 38 which is made of alaminated layer consisting of conductive particles and an insulatingmaterial. Since a group of electrodes of the matrix-type liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 are divided into an upper portion and a lower portionas shown in FIG. 4, the zebra-rubber connector 38 is connected to theprinted circuit board 4 from three directions of top, bottom, andvertical.

An electroluminescent lamp (EL) is used as a supplementary light source12 to be used when the wrist watch is used in the dark, and the lamp isconnected through the printed circuit board 4 and a terminal 13 for thesupplementary light source so that the thickness of the wrist watch canbe reduced. A gap is arranged between the supplementary light source 12and a reflection-type polarizing film, that is the first polarizing film9. Thus, a contrast ratio of two values for a reflecting portion and adark display becomes large so that it can be used for the display of thematrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30, when the supplementarylight source 12 is not on.

FIG. 4 shows that various information is displayed on the upper firstdisplay area 31, and on the lower second display area 32, the display isentirely suspended in response to the decrease of the electricityaccumulation amount, so that the lower second display area 32 is used asa reflection section.

Furthermore, the shutter function of the wrist watch is not limited tothe two-way divided area of the first display area 31 and the seconddisplay area 32, but a shutter obtained from various areas can berealized by means of a control signal to the liquid crystal displaypanel 30 because the matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 isused.

Third Embodiment: FIG. 6, FIG. 7

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The formation in the third embodiment will be explained, in which bothof the polarizing films that form the liquid crystal display panel 30are of a reflection-type polarizing film and are used as an opticalmodulation section, and a solar cell is provided as a power-generatingelement.

It is an embodiment in which a shutter function to vary the ratio of atransmission area having a large transmittance to a reflection areahaving a large reflectance in the liquid crystal display panel using areflection-type polarizing film in accordance with the intensity oflight incident on a solar cell and the magnitude of electricityaccumulation amount, is provided, and the amount of power generation ofthe solar cell is displayed, a danger signal due to decrease of theelectricity accumulation amount is issued, and control of an amount ofpower generation of the solar cell is carried out.

A case 1 of the wrist watch is equipped with glass 2 and a case back 3as shown in FIG. 7, and a time-display section includes a printedcircuit board 4, a secondary battery 5 which serves as a power sourcesuch as for a stepping motor to drive a hand shaft 8, an hour hand 6 anda minute hand 7 connecting to a hand shaft 8. Further, on the printedcircuit board 4, a solar cell 41 to convert optical energy into electricenergy is disposed as a power generating element, and is connected witha connecting terminal 42.

The liquid crystal display panel 30 in the embodiment is nearly the sameas the liquid crystal display panel 30 used in the above-mentionedsecond embodiment, and a reflection-type polarizing film is adopted forboth the first and second polarizing films 9 and 14. A reflection-typepolarizing film as the first polarizing film 9 and a reflection-typepolarizing film as the second polarizing film 14 are arranged in amanner such that their transmission axes intersect with each other atright angles.

Furthermore, on the central portion of the liquid crystal display panel30, a hand shaft hole 40 for a hand shaft 8 to pass through is provided,and a sealing agent 36 is provided around the hole 40 for reinforcement.

For the liquid crystal 34 which is filled in the liquid crystal cell 39,a super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal which twists in the rangeof 180° to 260° from the first substrate 33 to the second substrate 35is used.

On the reflection-type polarizing film, that is the first polarizingfilm 9, a shielding film 37 is provided to shield around a sealing agent36 which forms a liquid crystal display panel 30, an end of processedportion, and a hand shaft hole 40.

To connect the liquid crystal display panel 30 and the printed circuitboard 4, a zebra-rubber connector 38 which is formed by laminatingconductive particle and insulating material is used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display panel 30 has a roundshape display area 20 consisting of a first display area 20 a to atwelfth display area 20L which are divisions of 12 parts around the handshaft hole 40, the number “12” being the same number as the hour “12”. Aratio of the amount of the reflected light to the amount of thetransmitted light through the first polarizing film 9 can berespectively controlled in each display area 20 a to 20L which is adivision of the display area 20.

Time-indicating letters 11 from “1” to “12” which indicate time areprinted on the second polarizing film 14.

According to the wrist watch in the third embodiment, a shutter functionwhich varies a ratio of a reflection area to a transmission area of theliquid crystal display panel 30 is operated to intensify light incidenton the solar cell 41 in response to a decrease of the electricityaccumulation amount so that an amount of transmission area is increased.For this purpose, the shutter of the liquid crystal display panel 30 isopened and closed from the first display area 20 a to the twelfthdisplay area 20L. Since the transmittance rises as voltage applied tothe liquid crystal cell 39 decreases, the power consumption of theliquid crystal display panel 30 can be reduced and the transmittance ofthe liquid crystal display panel 30 can be enlarged when a solar cell isused as a power-generating element, wherein the shutter function of theliquid crystal display panel works most effectively.

By forming an interference film on the surface of the solar cell 41,when the transmittance of the liquid crystal display panel 30 becomeslarge, each display area can be displayed in various color, such as arainbow of colors, by reflection from the solar cell 41.

Further, by combination of the first polarizing film 9 and a colorfilter or a color polarizing film, color display can be realized. Bychanging the color of the color filter according to each display area ofthe display area 20 shown in FIG. 6, the amount of generated electricityand the amount of accumulated electricity of the solar cell 41 can bedisplayed in conjunction with the shutter function of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 30.

As is detailed in the above explanation, the embodiment is veryeffective due to special characteristics of the wrist watch which adopta reflection-type polarizing film for the liquid crystal display panel30 of the wrist watch. In addition, by controlling the reflectance andthe transmittance of the liquid crystal display panel 30 which uses areflection-type polarizing film in accordance with the amount ofgenerated electricity and the amount of accumulated electricity of thepower generating element, the amount of generated electricity and theamount of accumulated electricity can be displayed without degrading theappearance of the wrist watch, and which contributes to enlarge therange of applications of a watch having a power generating element.

Particularly, when the power generating element is a solar cell, byvarying the intensity of light incident on the solar cell, theaccumulated electricity amount can be averaged. Furthermore, byselecting a mode of the liquid crystal display panel, improvement of theappearance, display of the electricity accumulating amount or the powergenerating amount, reduction of power consumption for driving the liquidcrystal display panel, and adjustment of intensity of light incident onthe solar cell can become possible.

When a solar cell is adopted as a power-generating element and a liquidcrystal display panel having a reflection-type polarizing film is used,since a solar cell is generally opaque and it is necessary to let lightin for power generation, it is necessary to utilize a transmittingportion of the liquid crystal display panel having a reflection-typepolarizing film to let light in to the solar cell, and to remove as muchas possible any matters blocking light from the glass 2 to the solarcell 41.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a method is adopted in which asupplementary light source used when a wrist watch is used in darksurroundings is disposed around the solar cell 41 between the liquidcrystal display panel 30 having a reflection-type polarizing film andthe printed circuit board 4, wherein light of the supplementary lightsource is emitted from a transmitting portion of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 having a reflection-type polarizing film to a viewerside utilizing the reflection characteristic of the solar cell 41 andreflection characteristic of the first polarizing film 9. It iseffective to dispose a reflection-type polarizing film, that is thefirst polarizing film 9, on the side facing the solar cell 41, in orderto utilize the reflection characteristic of the reflection-typepolarizing film.

The above explanation is for an embodiment applying to a wrist watch,but when the size of the time-display section or shape of the case 1 ischanged, the present embodiment can be applied to a table clock or awall clock.

Fourth Embodiment: FIG. 8, FIG. 9

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

The fourth embodiment has a structure in which a liquid crystal displaypanel 30 is disposed nearer to the glass side than to a time-displaysection.

FIG. 8 is a plane view of a watch showing the fourth embodiment, andFIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line D—D in FIG. 8.

A case 1 of the wrist watch is equipped with glass 2 and a case back 3as shown in FIG. 9. In order from the glass 2 side, high transmittanceabsorption-type polarizing film serving as a liquid crystal displaypanel 30 and as a second polarizing film 14, a liquid crystal cell 39,and a reflection-type polarizing film as a first polarizing film 9 arearranged.

The liquid crystal cell 39 is structured in the same way as is used inthe first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Since the liquid crystal displaypanel 30 needs to be supported above an hour hand 6 or a minute hand 7,the liquid crystal display panel 30 is fixed to the case 1 by holding itfrom upper and lower side with an upper stopper 44 and a lower stopper46 which are fixed on the case 1, and a ring-shape rubber packing 45.

The printed circuit board 4 and the liquid crystal display panel 30 areconnected with a connector 47, through which a predetermined drivingsignal is given to the liquid crystal display panel 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, a letter-display section 43 which displayscharacters can be arranged on the time-display section and further theliquid crystal display panel 30 becomes transparent when no voltage isapplied.

When the liquid crystal display panel 30 is disposed in the inner sideof the glass 2, since use of a reflection-type polarizing film as thesecond polarizing film 14 yields high reflectance and low visibility ofthe time-display section on the back side, it is preferable to adopt anabsorption-type polarizing film for the second polarizing film 14.Further, in order to improve the appearance of the watch, it isunderstood to be important to improve the transmittance of the liquidcrystal display panel 30 and for it to be colorless. Accordingly, inthis embodiment, a high transmittance absorption-type polarizing film isadopted for the second polarizing film 14 and emphasis is laid oncolorlessness in the visible region.

Furthermore, a twisted nematic (TN) type crystal which twists from thefirst substrate 33 to the second substrate 35 by about 90° is used forthe liquid crystal 34 in the liquid crystal cell 39.

The absorption-type polarizing film, that is the second polarizing film14, and the reflection-type polarizing film, that is the firstpolarizing film 9, are arranged in such a manner that their transmissionaxes intersect with each other at right angles so that the transparencybecomes high when no voltage is applied.

On the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 30, the printedcircuit board 4 to drive a hand shaft 8, a secondary secon 5, and thetime-display section including an hour hand 6 and a minute hand 7 whichconnect to a hand shaft 8 are provided. On the printed circuit board 4,a solar cell 41 as a power-generating element which converts opticalenergy into electric energy is equipped. Between the hour hand 6, minutehand 7 and solar cell 41, the white dial 10 to shield the surface of thesolar cell 41 is provided. A face made of high transmittance ceramic isadopted for the dial 10.

Thus, since the display is performed by disposing the liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 in the inner side of glass 2 above the hour hand 6 andthe minute hand 7 in the watch of this embodiment, recognition ofdisplayed information is extremely improved. Decrease in reduction ofelectricity accumulation amount by suspending the display in response tolowering of electricity accumulation amount, and improvement oftransmittance of the liquid crystal display panel 30 make efficiency ofthe power generation of the solar cell 41 improve, as the result,stoppage of quartz oscillation or stoppage of motion of the hour hand 6or the minute hand 7 is prevented.

Furthermore, in the wrist watch shown in FIG. 8, opening-and-closing ofthe shutter of the liquid crystal display panel 30 is performed by oneoperation. FIG. 8 shows the manner of displaying letters, and in thisembodiment, since the first polarizing film 9 and the second polarizingfilm 14 are disposed in the inner side of the glass 2 of thetime-display section, the time-display section can be entirely shieldedby the shutter function.

When exhaustion of the electricity accumulation amount or delay of thetime-keeping occur, it is possible to shield the time-display section bymeans of the shuttering function and to inform the user of theabnormality of time display by reflecting incident light by means of theliquid crystal display panel 30. The display of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 can be a metallic reflection panel. Consequently, theliquid crystal display panel 30 of the wrist watch can be used as amirror.

When the embodiment is applied to a table clock, the clock can be usedalso as a mirror by setting the liquid crystal display panel 30 of theclock at a height suitable for a viewer.

The solar cell 41 is used for a power-generating element in thisembodiment. When the shuttering function of the embodiment is utilized,even in the case of using a mechanical power generating means to convertkinetic energy of rotational movement of a rotor into electric energy orin the case of using a thermoelectric power-generating element toconvert a temperature difference into electric energy, the reflectionratio or the transmission ratio can be controlled in accordance with thepower-generating state of the power-generating element.

For instance, when the power generation is resumed after occurrence oferror in the time-displaying or exhaustion of the electricityaccumulation amount, when an error of time is found on resuming theoperation of the time-displaying section, the shutter function utilizingthe reflection-type polarizing film for the liquid crystal display panel30 enhances its appearance and display the necessity of furtherreadjustment of the time to the user.

Fifth Embodiment: FIG. 10 to FIG. 12

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 10 to FIG. 12

The present invention performs a shutter function with interplay of afirst and second polarizing films 9 and 14, and a liquid crystal cell39. By utilizing the liquid crystal cell 39, the shutter function can beelectrically varied.

A time-display section utilizes the same liquid crystal display panel asthe shutter-function does. Therefore, a wrist watch can be made thinner.The wrist watch is equipped with a transmitting/receiving antenna 53 todetect a signal from the outside.

FIG. 10 is a plane view showing a watch of the fifth embodiment, andFIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line E—E. FIG. 12is a block diagram showing a structure of an electric circuit providedin the watch.

A liquid crystal display panel 30 used in the fifth embodiment adopts amatrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 to present a lot ofcharacter information for efficiently utilizing it for both of atime-display section and an optical modulation section and also toenrich the shutter function. As a polarizing film to structure theliquid crystal display panel 30 together with the liquid crystal cell39, a reflection-type polarizing film is adopted for the firstpolarizing film 9 and a absorption-type polarizing film for the secondpolarizing film 14.

The matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 has a shutter functionand as shown in FIG. 10, all of the display area of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 30 can display detailed information, however, for the sakeof convenience, it is assumed that the first display area 22 has changedto show a metallic display which is one of reflection characteristics ofthe shutter function. A signal from the outside is received by thetransmitting/receiving antenna 53, treated through a receiving circuit64 shown in FIG. 12, and controling a driving circuit 62 of the liquidcrystal display panel by the signal, a display state of the liquidcrystal display panel 30 is determined.

A case 1 of the wrist watch is provided with glass 2 and a case back 3as shown in FIG. 11 and the time-display section includes a printedcircuit board 4, a secondary battery 5, a matrix-type liquid crystaldisplay panel 30, and a zebra-rubber connector 38 which connects theliquid crystal display panel 30 and the printed circuit board 4. Thetime display is performed with a matrix-type liquid crystal displaypanel 30.

The matrix-type liquid crystal display panel 30 consists of, in orderfrom the glass 2 side, an absorption-type polarizing film as the secondpolarizing film 14, the liquid crystal cell 39, and a reflection-typepolarizing film as the first polarizing film 9. The liquid crystal cell39 is structured in the same manner as is used in the first embodimentshown in FIG. 5. The liquid crystal 34 which is filled in the liquidcrystal cell 39 uses a twisted-nematic (TN) type liquid crystal cellwhich twists from the first substrate 33 to the second substrate 35 by90°.

The first polarizing film 9 and the second polarizing film 14 aredisposed in a manner that their transmission axes are parallel to eachother. Accordingly, when the power supply to the liquid crystal cell 39is suspended, the liquid crystal display panel 30 can perform acharacteristic metallic reflection display because the linearlypolarized light which penetrates through the second polarizing film 14and is twisted by 90° at the liquid crystal cell 39 has a polarizingdirection orthogonal to the transmission axis of the first polarizingfilm 9 so that all of the light is reflected.

A shielding film 37 is provided on the second polarizing film 14 toshield a sealing agent 36 which forms the liquid crystal display panel30 and a processed end portion. Using a color polarizing film for theshielding film 37 and by providing numerals indicating a time on thecolor polarizing film, the time-display is realized in colors.

Furthermore, a zebra-rubber connector 38, which consists of a conductiveperticle and an insulating material, is utilized to connect the liquidcrystal display panel 30 with the printed circuit board 4. Anelectroluminescent lamp (EL) is used for a supplementary light source 12used when a wrist watch is used in dark surroundings, and theelectroluminescent lamp is connected with the printed circuit board 4and a terminal 13 for the supplementary light source, in order to makethe wrist watch thinner.

On the surface of the EL which is a supplementary light source 12 facingthe liquid crystal cell 39, an organic light-storing material is coated.Accordingly, when it becomes dark in the surroundings of the watch,first the organic light-storing material emits light, and then thesupplementary light source 12 is turned on, as necessary.

In this embodiment, the supplementary light source 12 and the shutterfunction of the liquid crystal display panel 30 change the shutterfunction and the character-display, operating together based on a signalfrom the outside, which makes the function very attractive especiallyfor young wrist watch users.

Further, the shutter function of the wrist watch performs a curtain-likeshutter display which gradually and horizontally moves in the seconddisplay areas 54 and 55 within the first display area 22 shown in FIG.10. The watch has a mode switch 51 to shift the display mode, a switch52 which performs on-off switching of the supplementary light source andthe transmitting, and a control switch 50 which performs the setting oftime through a turning action and the control of the shutter functionthrough a push-pull action.

Next, an electric circuit provided in the wrist watch is explainedreferring to the block diagram in FIG. 12. An electric current issupplied from a battery 5 to each circuit block and a standard pulsegenerating means (OSC) 60 and a time signal generating means 61 areactuated. A transmitting circuit 63 and a receiving circuit 64 operateby utilizing the standard pulse signal generated by the standard pulsegenerating means (OSC) 60. The transmitting circuit 63 is actuated bythe operation of a control switch 50 shown in FIG. 10, and a signal issupplied to a transmitting/receiving antenna 53 to transmit a signal tothe outside.

A signal from the outside is received at the transmitting/receivingantenna 53, detected by the receiving circuit 64, then a control signalis output to a driving circuit 62 of the liquid crystal display panel,and the shutter function of the liquid crystal display panel 30 iscontrolled thereby.

For instance, a radio wave signal of a specific frequency is detected bya receiving circuit 64 like a pager-watch, and the shutter function ofthe liquid crystal display panel 30 can be controlled by the detectedsignal.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the display portions 54 and 55in the central portion of the watch display a shutter in a scroll-system(a curtain-system) based on a signal from the outside, a message from asender is displayed by an intermittent on-off of the shutter. Forinstance, an initial stage corresponds to A, and next to M, correspondsto an opening of the shutter 54, and a “AM” portion in a message “meetat 10:00AM” is shown in an intermittently displaying manner.

In the display section 54 and 55, a film on which visible information(photograph, character, figure, picture, and so on) is formed, can beprovided on the opposite side (back side) relative to a viewer, on thefirst polarizing film (reflection-type polarizing film) 9 which formsthe shutter and the liquid crystal cell 39 which is an opticalmodulation section. Through this structure, the information on the filmis sometimes invisible because it is covered with the shutter andsometimes visible because it is not covered by the shutter, which iscontrolled by the liquid crystal cell 39.

In the watch hereinbefore explained, an embodiment to dispose a filmwhich forms visible information thereon, a color filter, apower-generating element, a supplementary light source and the like onthe back side of the liquid crystal display panel 30 is explained. It isalso important for improvement in design of the wrist watch to show amechanical operation section of an analog-type time-display section inwhich gears are arranged, through the opening portion of the shutterwhen the shutter function opens and closes. In addition, the movement ofthe opening portion of the shutter according to the passage of timemakes it possible to improve the design of the wrist watch.

In the embodiment, though the application to a wrist watch is explained,it is possible to apply it to a table clock and a wall clock by suitablymodifying the size of the display section and the shape of the case 1.

Sixth Embodiment: FIG. 13

Hereinafter, an embodiment applied to a table clock or a wall clock willbe explained. First, FIG. 13 shows a table clock which is the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

The clock corresponds to a clock in which the time-display section ofthe wrist watch in the first embodiment of the present invention shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is enlarged, the case 1 is formed in a cylindricalshape, then they are fixed in a wooden, a stone, a metal or a resin case100.

Accordingly, in FIG. 13, a portion corresponding to the portion in FIG.1 and FIG. 2 is given the same numeral, and the explanation thereof isomitted. An analog display mechanism of the clock and an arrangement andtype of the first and the second polarizing films are the same as in thefirst embodiment. By turning a holding ring 15 for the polarizing film,the display of the time-display section changes to a full-mirror stateor a transparent state so that the time information by an hour hand 6and a minute hand 7 becomes visible.

Seventh Embodiment: FIG. 14 and FIG. 15

Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

This embodiment is an application of the present invention to a wallclock, and its time-display section is structured in the same manner asin the watch of the third embodiment explained with reference to FIG. 8and FIG. 9.

On the lower side of the time-display section, a marionette unit 19having marionettes 16, 17 and 18 (5 pieces) is provided. A shutterfunction of the marionette unit 19 is performed by an interplay of apolarizing film and a liquid crystal cell.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the clock, and FIG. 15 is a schematicsectional view taken along the line F—F in FIG. 14.

In this clock, a case 1 for the clock unit and a case 101 for themarionette unit 19 are fixed in a case 200 which is made of wood or thelike.

The marionette unit 19 is sealed in a case 101 attached with glass 102and a case back 103 as shown in FIG. 15.

In the interior thereof, 5 pieces of the marionettes 16, 17, 18 and themotion mechanism (not shown) are installed so that dust and the like areprevented from entering the interior and preventing the marionettes 16,17, and 18 from being stained.

Between the glass 102 and the marionettes 16, 17, and 18, from the glass102 side, a high transmittance absorption-type polarizing film as asecond polarizing film 114, a liquid crystal cell 139, and a liquidcrystal display panel 130 consisting of a reflection-type polarizingfilm as a first polarizing film 109 are arranged.

The liquid crystal cell 139 is a twisted nematic type liquid crystalcell having a twist angle of 90° and is structured such that a firstsubstrate 133 and a second substrate 135 which form a transparentelectrode on each confronting surface thereof are bonded through asealing agent 136, and liquid crystal 134 is filled in the gap betweenthe above substrates.

For the reflection-type polarizing film as the first polarizing film109, an optical film such as DBEF (trade name) sold by Sumitomo 3M Co.,Ltd. is used.

The first polarizing film (a reflection-type polarizing film) 109 andthe second polarizing film (a absorption-type polarizing film) 114 aredisposed so that their transmission axes are arranged nearly parallel toeach other.

Between the marionettes 16, 17, 18 and the case back 103, asupplementary light source 112 to illuminate the marionettes 16, 17, and18 when the circumstances surrounding the clock in use is dark, and aprinted circuit board 104 to drive-control the operation mechanism ofthe liquid crystal panel 130 and the marionettes 16, 17 and 18, arearranged.

For the supplementary light source 112, an array which disposes red,blue, and green light-emitting diodes (LED) in plane is adopted, layingemphasis on the color tone and variety of colors. The liquid crystaldisplay panel 130 and the printed circuit board 104 are connected with azebra-rubber connector 138.

On the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 130, a shieldingfilm 137 is provided to improve the stage effects of the marionettes 16,17, and 18. By providing a something dark violet or gold hued materialas the shielding film 137, a high-quality image of the marionettes 16,17 and 18 is enhanced.

The liquid crystal display panel 130 used in the seventh embodiment isdivided into five because it has a shutter function to shield each dollof the marionettes 16, 17 and 18 (five pieces of dolls) in themarionette unit 19. Each portion is electrically controllable by asignal from the printed circuit board 104, respectively. For instance,only right side marionettes 16, 17, and 18 can be shielded in FIG. 14.Alternatively, the shielded potion can be easily shifted from the rightmarionette to the left marionette (or from the left to the right) atcertain time intervals.

In this embodiment, the clock has a shutter function with a metallicluster owing to the reflection-type polarizing film of the firstpolarizing film 109.

Thus, in this embodiment, an electronic shutter having a metallicreflection characteristic and transmission characteristic through theliquid crystal display panel 130 can be provided on the viewer side ofthe marionettes 16, 17, 18 in the marionette unit 19. Since it is anelectronic shutter, the shielding section and the transmitting sectionof the shutter can be easily varied in accordance with the movement ofthe marionettes 16, 17 and 18, and the control of the luminescent colorof the supplementary light source 12 and the control of the opening andclosing of the shutter on time can be also possible, so that stagemanagement of the marionettes 16, 17 and 18 can be varied.

Eighth Embodiment: FIG. 16

Next, FIG. 16 is a front view of a wall clock showing the eighthembodiment of the present invention.

This wall clock is provided with a liquid crystal display panel 30 inwhich a lower-side polarizing film is a reflection-type polarizing filmprovided between a glass front and an analog-display-type time-displaysection consisting of a hour hand 6, a second hand 7, and the dial 10,similar to that in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Theabove clock unit is fixed in a case 300.

The liquid crystal display panel 30 is equipped with a character-displaysection 43 which displays characters such as a schedule and the like onthe time-display section.

A transmitting/receiving antenna 53 is provided on a portion of thesurface of the case 300, a circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 12detects a signal having a specific frequency from the outside, and theliquid crystal display panel 30 is controlled based on the detectedsignal so as to optionally vary the reflection or transmission state ofthe time-display surface.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, according to the present invention, by disposing areflection-type polarizing film on the front side or the back side of atime-display section of a timepiece or at least on a portion of thetime-display section, a display utilizing metallic reflectioncharacteristics and transmission characteristics having a broad varietycan be realized and the improvement of the design of the timepiece andthe development of an innovative design become possible.

A shutter function which is electrically controllable to thetime-display section of a timepiece can be provided. A portion or all ofthe display of the liquid crystal display panel can be contributed tothe opening and closing of a shutter and by utilizing a shape of anelectrode pattern of the liquid crystal display panel or a matrix-typeliquid crystal display panel, the function of a fan shape, a concentriccircle shape shutter, or a flashing-type shutter and the flexibilitythereof are widened so that the display appearance of a timepiece can beimproved.

A liquid crystal display panel utilizing a reflection-type polarizingfilm can be applied to a shutter provided on the viewer side of amarionette which is equipped in a wall clock for decorative purpose orfor adding value, so that it contributes to making the value of theclock higher.

Furthermore, as a result of enriching a shutter function by adopting anoptical modulation section having a reflection-type polarizing film fora watch equipped with a power-generating element, it is possible todisplay a power-generating condition of a power-generating element, astate of the amount of the electricity accumulation, and to managetreatment after suspension of a wrist watch due to the exhaustion of theaccumulated electricity, working together with the shutter function.Particularly, when an optical modulation section is disposed nearer tothe glass side than to the time-display section, erroneous recognitionof the time-display section due to full-closing of the shutter can beprevented.

Additionally, by providing a color filter, a color film, and a colorpolarizing film on a portion of a reflection-type polarizing film or onthe case back side, a colorful shutter can be realized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A timepiece having an hour hand and a minutehand, comprising: an optical modulation section; and a reflection-typepolarizing film which has a function of reflecting light linearlypolarized in a direction orthogonal to a transmission axis thereof,wherein a member on which an information is formed is provided on a backside of said reflection-type polarizing film, and said opticalmodulation section varies a display state from a metallic shutter statecovering the information on said member to a transmission state in whichthe information on said member is visible, in conjunction with saidreflection-type polarizing film.
 2. The timepiece according to claim 1,wherein said optical modulation section is provided with any one of anabsorption-type polarizing film, a second reflection-type polarizingfilm, a color polarizing film, or a grid-type polarizing film in arotatable manner in relation to said reflection-type polarizing film soas to make an angle between respective transmission axes thereofvariable.
 3. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said hour handand said minute hand are disposed between said optical modulation unitand said reflection-type polarizing film.
 4. The timepiece according toclaim 2, wherein said hour hand and said minute hand are disposedbetween said optical modulation unit and said reflection-type polarizingfilm.
 5. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said opticalmodulation unit comprises a liquid crystal cell and one of anabsorption-type polarizing film, a second reflection-type polarizingfilm and a color polarizing film, and said optical modulation sectionvaries said display state by varying a voltage applying state to saidliquid crystal cell.
 6. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein adial is disposed on a back side of said hour hand and said minute hand,and said optical modulation section and said reflection-type polarizingfilm are disposed on a front side of said dial.
 7. The timepieceaccording to claim 1, wherein said optical modulation section and saidreflection-type polarizing film are disposed on a back side of said hourhand and said minute hand.
 8. The timepiece according to claim 1,wherein said optical modulation section and said reflection-typepolarizing film are disposed on a front side of said hour hand and saidminute hand.
 9. The timepiece according to claim 6, wherein said opticalmodulation section and said reflection-type polarizing film are disposedon a front side of said hour hand and said minute hand.
 10. Thetimepiece according to claim 1, further comprising a supplementary lightsource emitting light from a front side or a back side of saidreflection-type polarizing film.
 11. The timepiece according to claim 1,wherein said member on which an information is formed is a film on whichphotograph, character, figure or picture is formed.
 12. The timepieceaccording to claim 1, wherein a power-generating element is provided ona back side of said reflection-type polarizing film.
 13. The timepieceaccording to claim 12, wherein said optical modulation unit has adisplay area for displaying an amount of generated electricity of saidpower-generating element or an amount of accumulated electricity. 14.The timepiece according to claim 13, wherein said display area comprisesa reflection area and a transmission area, and an area ratio betweensaid reflection area and said transmission area is varied in accordancewith said amount of generated electricity or said amount of accumulatedelectricity.
 15. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a timedisplay can be recognized in said full transmission state.